Education Briefs: Nov. 28, 2009

MW to host affluence presentation

WORTHINGTON -- The Minnesota West Community and Technical College chapter of Phi Theta Kappa will present the first installment of a DVD Honors Seminar Series on the paradox of affluence.

There will be a viewing of Roy Suarez speaking on the topic: "If You're So Rich, How Come You're Not Happier?" at noon Thursday in the Fine Arts Theater on the Worthington campus.

The hour-long presentation will be followed by a short moderated discussion. The event is free and open to the public.

NCIC plans college preparation day

WORTHINGTON -- The Nobles County Integration Collaborative will host a College Preparation Day on Dec. 6 at the collaborative, 117 11th Ave., Room 126.

The meeting will inform students and parents about steps to take in preparing for college, the financial aid process, applying for scholarships, preparing for the ACT and SAT and more.

The event is free and open to the public. Spanish interpreters, child care and transportation will be provided with pre-registration.

For more information or to pre-register, call 376-3300.

Sibley man inducted into ISU honor society

AMES, Iowa -- Michael Berkland, Sibley, Iowa, was initiated into the Iowa State University Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi on Nov. 15 at ISU.

Berkland is a junior majoring in animal science (pre-veterinary). He is the son of Dan and Loretta Berkland of Sibley.

BSU announces scholarship auditions

BEMIDJI -- The Department of Music at Bemidji State University will host auditions for entrance into the program and for scholarships on Feb. 20 and 26, 2010, during the Honor Band and Choir weekend.

The auditions will take place in the Thompson Recital Hall of the University's Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex.

Auditions are open to students who plan to enter or transfer to the university in the fall of 2010.

Students also have the option of scheduling auditions on other dates prior to March 1, 2010, or of submitting a recorded audition.

Live auditions are required for those students who wish to be considered for full-tuition scholarships.

Those wishing to schedule an audition or apply for a scholarship should contact Jennifer Swanson at (218) 755-2867.

Scholarships benefit science teachers

BROOKINGS, S.D. -- A scholarship program at South Dakota State University is working to ensure that high-need school districts will have qualified science and mathematics teachers.

The Rural Enhancement of Mathematics and Science scholarship program recently awarded 11 students scholarships worth $5,000 per semester for the 2009-2010 academic year.

Made possible by a grant through the National Science Foundation under the Robert Noyce Scholarship Program, the scholarships are designed for students pursuing teacher certification in grades 7-12 in biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics.

This year's recipients include Laura Jones, Worthington, mathematics and Zachary Merrick, Westbrook, chemistry.

Students are selected on the basis of an online application, an essay, reference letters and an interview with REMAST committee members.

The recipients agree to complete one year of teaching in a high-need school district for every semester they received scholarship money.

For more information about the REMAST scholarship program, contact Sharon Vestal at (605) 688-6225.

Laverman earns MW scholarship

OCHEYEDAN, Iowa -- Jacob Laverman, Ocheyedan, has been awarded the 2010-2011 Presidential Scholarship from Minnesota West Community and Technical College.

The Presidential Scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship, renewable for up to four semesters. It is awarded to first-time Minnesota West students who have an ACT composite score of 28 or above.